Page:An Account of Corsica (1769).djvu/107

 kind of wars were always calculated to serve the political views of the holy father.

At last, Corsica was actually conquered by one of the kings of France; some say, by Pepin, and others, by Charles Martel. The Corsicans shew to this day, a fountain, called by the name of Charles, in the pieve of Alesani, and, as they say, on the spot where this gallant prince vanquished the Moors.

By the kings of France, Corsica was resigned, in a perpetual gift, to the holy see. The Saracens however, from time to time returned; so that the pope had but a very feeble and uncertain sway.

The Genoese availing themselves of the distracted state of the island, had very early contrived to settle a colony at Bonifaccio; and emboldened by degrees, they landed troops on other parts of the country, and began to bear a formidable appearance.

This could not fail to incense the court of Rome, and to draw down upon them the thunders of the Vatican, from whence the holy father used, in those ages, to fulminate with serious effect against the greatest powers in Europe. Accordingly, the Genoese were excommunicated by